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alternator issue? Also slight overheating

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    #1

    alternator issue? Also slight overheating

    So last Sunday night I was driving to a local meet, and my car started to act a little funky. Dripped coolant from a hose and I tightened it so it was all good, then kept driving and my cluster started to act weird. When I came to a stop all the lights would get dim and then go away. Drove fine. Then it started to overheat a bit, but the needle would move more at a greater speed.

    Driving home from the meet was fine for the first 10 min, then the real bad shit happened. My radio turned on and off twice then the lights became super dim, and coming to a stop the car died. A friend in front pushed it while I popped the clutch, and I drove behind him with super dim lights. Then it kept dying and there was no way I could make it home, so I got towed. Looks like the belt tensioner loosened the belt and I came to it the next day with it all loose. Tightened it back down properly and jump started it, but after 15 min of idling the car wouldnt turn back on at all. I put in a new voltage regulator and then the car took a charge again, did a quick tune up and some other stuff to the engine and it was running PERFECT. Drove soooo good, then after 15 min the car started to over heat again slightly, then the cluster lights came on again, and it started to idle a bit low. I know its probably the alternator but when I tested it it looked fine, and it charged the battery but started to go out again. Any ideas? Could it be a relay of some sort? I got a 1231 code at first but it went away. Thanks. Sorry slight noob here.
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    #2
    Check the belt again - the tensioner nut/arm is kinda weak. And get your battery tested at your local auto-parts place (they will do it for free - some places can test your alternator too). Get a multi-meter, and make sure your alternator is putting out over 13 volts.
    Originally posted by Matt-B
    hey does anyone know anyone who gets upset and makes electronics?

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      #3
      Originally posted by george graves View Post
      Check the belt again - the tensioner nut/arm is kinda weak. And get your battery tested at your local auto-parts place (they will do it for free - some places can test your alternator too). Get a multi-meter, and make sure your alternator is putting out over 13 volts.
      okay I will thank you. I put some blue lock tite on the bolt that holds on ye tension and tightened the shit out of it. It's also not an old tensioner, I replaced the whole thing when I did my timing belt

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        #4
        Also- I heard a slight whine coming from the front left of the engine bay while driving with windows down. Is that another sign of a dying alternator? I also figured it could overheat a bit since the alt belt goes around the water pump pulley too

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          #5
          Sounds like a slipping belt.
          Originally posted by Matt-B
          hey does anyone know anyone who gets upset and makes electronics?

          Comment

            #6
            Originally posted by george graves View Post
            Sounds like a slipping belt.
            I hope so, il take a look in the morning. Thanks.

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              #7
              You have two separate problems -

              What do you mean by slightly overheat? The temp gauge is supposed to fluctuate anywhere but the red. If you had a coolant leak, check your level. If it's low, top it off.

              The mixture of distilled water and antifreeze is important. Never go more than 50% antifreeze. Water actually has better cooling properties than antifreeze. They only call it antifreeze because it won't let your system freeze in the winter. Simple enough. If you have the wrong mixture, your car's temp won't stay cool.

              For instance, mine usually stays just a bit over the first tick. So like 10 o'clock. On hot days, it will be in the center when I'm stopped at a light or just coming off the freeway.

              ---

              When your alt dies or the belt loosens etc, the car runs off the battery. Depending on how old your battery is the car can drain it so much that it completely kills it. As in you have to get a new battery.

              If your car is low on electricity from a failing alt and dead battery, and your car has an electric fan, that could cause the overheat issues. But I don't think yours does..


              it's a Kenny Powers quote on wheels

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                #8
                well
                I checked the belt this morning, and it was looser and flipped over. I have a new belt and the size is 10x965. is this the right size? when I put it up to the pulley when I had the current one off, it seemed too big for the crank pulley, like it sat a little bit higher over the pulley.

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                  #9
                  realoem.com should tell you the right belt size


                  it's a Kenny Powers quote on wheels

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                    #10
                    Should be 9.5x965

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